(no subject)

[proximoception]

Time crunch or no, I'm going to fit in Moby-Dick, which I'm amazed to realize I read ten years ago. During my first Vancouver rainy "season" (lasts October to March) which was appropriately gloomy. Probably also helped that the ocean was a block or two downhill.

I remember trying to read it for the first time in 2000 on a trans-Atlantic flight. It was too good. I read one or two paragraphs and said that to myself: this writing is too good to even read. And set it down for three years. Never said that to myself about another book. "How amazing" plenty of times, "so good I need to stop for a minute," but not three years.

Comments

[karinmollberg.livejournal.com]

Three years since I read The Third Policeman. Time for The Poor Mouth. Had to evade both for much longer though, since...let´s see: around 1987-8 because of the menacing BF-influence, Freedom of Mind ideas of youth, etc. Here, there was always M. who is from Ireland and (always) inquired me on my reading "so, E. have you really read X as in Joyce, Beckett, Keats & Co.?" She is an engrish teacher who knows things. I tried to count a few swans on the Garonne and thought of why some prefer France at war or even Triest. Moby Dick on a trans-Atlantic flight seems too ideal a place, so I understand.

X

[nightspore.livejournal.com]

You've read At Swim-Two-Birds?

[karinmollberg.livejournal.com]

I don´t think so but may have in a Viking translation (same Gotham City period) but there was enough reason not to. If not and I notice I promise to do so, I am often a late noticer: that´s Paris, off course but too late for regrets now. At least, you are not my BF, it helps a lot.

[grashupfer.livejournal.com]

I hope you post about it. I listened to long chunks of the second half on audio during a road trip this year. It sounds even better. Pure awesome.

[mendaciloquent.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about diving into this one myself, after accidentally acquiring a very handsome leatherbound copy. My only trouble with reading "nice" books is that I can't take notes in the margins. I've been reading too much nonfiction lately.

[proximoception.livejournal.com]

Maybe give it to your kid for a few hours till the bloom is gone? Or kick it around the yard yourself. Probably feel liberating.